Dean Lloyd saved a tour of the house for last. They hadn’t done much work in there yet because I had a tenant living there. The plan was to stucco the exterior and add stone features to carry through with the Tuscan look and feel.
Since we were getting a massive garage in the back, they planned to enclose the one in the house and make it into a downstairs area for the kids. That was where the bulk of the bedrooms were.
The idea was to use the second floor as more of an adult area with the master bedroom on that floor. It would have floor-to-ceiling glass panels that could be opened and slid back so they disappeared from view. The house was on a high-enough elevation that you could see over the roofs of the homes downhill from us, resulting in a great view of the ocean. It would also allow us to enjoy natural cross ventilation and help bring the outdoors into the house.
They were extending the second-story balcony and adding a staircase to the roof. I’d asked that they model the roof area after Rita James’ beach house. It was designed as an outdoor living and entertainment zone that had spectacular views of both the hills and the ocean.
After the tour, my grandmother took me aside.
“When this is done, it’s going to be almost like a resort. I could see retiring here.”
“You trying to tell me something?” I asked.
“I guess I am. While I love the farm and helping you, I was retired when you asked me to manage it. I’ve been thinking it might be time to consider getting back to retirement.”
“Are you saying you want to move in with me?” I asked with a smile.
“Yes and no. What do you plan to do with this place while you go to college?” Grandma asked.
“I guess I planned to rent it out.”
“And after college?”
“I would probably move here. At the very least, it would be a nice place for the kids.”
“Have you thought about maybe having your parents move here along with the rest of your family? I know that Pam plans to go to Pepperdine, and if Coby were here, he would have his mother nearby,” she suggested.
“I talked to Pam about living here in one of the apartments while she goes to school.”
“Well, I just want to put it out there that after Rob’s scare, it wouldn’t surprise me if your parents reevaluate their situation. Your mom and I have talked, and she loves it here. I think she’s as sick of the winters back home as I am,” Grandma Dawson said.
For what I was investing in this property, I would feel better if I knew my family could enjoy it while I was off to school. In some ways, it would be a game-changer for my college plans, too. UCLA was actually closer than USC. It would be nice to be able to have a reasonable drive to come home and see my kids.
That made me think about Peggy, Ashley, and Scarlet. Would they want to move here? I’d had Cindy design the home with enough room for everyone. I would even have enough room for Grandma Dawson if she really did move here.
“If you want to, I would love to have you live here,” I said.
“Are you serious? I would understand if you wouldn’t want your grandmother moving in,” she said to give me an out.
“Well, it isn’t like it would happen tomorrow; they still have a lot of work to do. But if I’m off to college, I would feel better knowing you were watching over this place for me. When I graduate, we leave that open.”
“Smart boy. By then, you might be packing me off to an assisted living place,” she said and smiled to let me know she was teasing.
“That’s Uncle John and Dad’s job. I get to pick out the home they go to when they get old.”
“Are you okay with me leaving the farm?”
“You bailed me out when I bought it. I want you to be happy, and I’m sure we can figure out someone to manage it. You’ve given me plenty of time to find someone, and I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
“You really are my favorite,” she said as she patted my cheek.
“Hang on. Let me get that on video so I can send it to Greg,” I said, pulling my phone out.
We had a running feud as to who was our grandmother’s favorite.
“I take it back. You really are a ‘stupid boy.’”
◊◊◊
When we got back to the house, Fritz wanted to have a word with me before I decided whether I should take a nap or lie out in the sun. I wanted to be able to rub it in that I had a tan when I got back to school, the land of the pasty white during the winter.
“I need access to all your new condos to install security. Caryn said you had lent the condo in Canada to her for a vacation. Do you think you’ll do the same with the others?” he asked.
“Probably all except for the one here in LA. I plan to offer that one to Tracy Dole as housing for when she goes to USC in the fall. Why?” I asked.
